In a move unprecedented in Olympics history, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has banned Russia en masse from the 2018 Winter Olympics - - a landmark decision which has rocked the sporting world, and has blown powerhouse Russia into a worldwide embarrassment of unparalleled proportion.

Clean Russian athletes, if any, may still compete but under the banner of the Olympics - - no Russian flag, no Russian national anthem, no Russian officials allowed in the Winter Olympic Games - - the IOC decision says.

And consequently, the record books will show, zero medals for Russia.

Russia hosted the last Winter Olympics in 2014 @Sochi2014 in its largest resort city, Sochi.

In a complete reversal of fortune, right after being a proud host, they are now being banned in the next Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea @Pyeongchang2018.

The decision of the IOC, issued in Switzerland today, came following years of inquiry and investigation into the reported widespread and systematic state-sponsored doping amongst Russian athletes.

The IOC is the highest governing body of the Olympics @Olympics - - both Summer and Winter Olympics.

Russia has always been haunted by doping scandals these recent years, almost their entire Olympic Team banned in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Russia has always denied involvement, in the doping scheme.

One of their icons, Tennis Superstar Maria Sharapova @MariaSharapova, has had her good share of the scandals.

After serving a 15-month ban from tennis for doping, she now seems to have recovered quickly, thanks to her own well-oiled PR machinery.

Maria Sharapova admitted taking Meldonium for at least 10 years of her career - - a performance-enhancing drug developed in a dodgy place in Latvia, discovered only recently and was banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in 2016.

It was for her diabetes, was Sharapova's flimsy alibi.

Her favourite outspoken critic and former fan, Eugenie Bouchard @GenieBouchard, has openly called her a "cheater".

Russia's Olympic team has been barred from the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea as punishment for alleged state-backed doping at the 2014 Sochi Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced.

RUSSIA BANNED: The International Olympic Committee has suspended the Russian Olympic committee -- but will allow athletes to compete as 'neutrals' following doping tests.
Posted by FOX 46 Charlotte on Tuesday, 5 December 2017